Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon (PAH) Testing

Fera food contaminant experts are able to establish the levels of a range of PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) within your food sample as part of an accredited analysis activity. Through our industry accepted methods and leading technologies, we are able to provide accurate analysis within a timely turnaround window. We are also able to work closely with you to perform tailored analysis of your samples on request.

PAHs are polycyclic, aromatic hydrocarbons (i.e. containing only carbon and hydrogen), which are found naturally in some instances, including in some foods, but also produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels like petroleum or wood.

PAHs can be formed in food during certain production processes such as smoking, drying, cooking with a very high heat or charring. This can result in higher than desired levels of PAHs, for example, in smoked meat or fish, dried herbs, chargrilled vegetables and fried steak.

For decades we have been aware of the presence of PAHs in foodstuffs. Legislation has been used to set and revise regulatory limits on the permitted levels of PAHs in food, to keep up with improving evidence about how they affect us and the environment, what levels can be considered safe and where levels might get too high in some processes.

PAHs are of interest due to potentially adverse effects on consumers' health as genotoxic carcinogens. Maximum permitted levels have been introduced for a range of foodstuffs including;

• chocolate
• banana chips
• infant formula
• dried herbs and spices
• smoked meats & fish
• certain types of food supplement

Some foods are known to contain levels that are at risk of exceeding current legislative limits for these compounds. Some examples are;

• cocoa fibre which is commonly used as an ingredient in low calorie high fibre foods
• Banana chips which pick up contamination when fried in coconut oil
• Food supplements derived from botanical extracts such as propolis, royal jelly and spirulina

Methods and Expertise

We use UKAS Accredited GC-MS methods to establish levels of a range of PAHs within your samples.

Our expertise is not limited to food analysis and we work with a number of organisations on a consultancy basis to tailor analyses for specific requirements. If you have questions about PAH testing, legislation, or the regulatory environment, then Fera's consultant senior scientists with broad and deep experience in the food industry can advise and support research interests.

Contact us for further information or to discuss your needs with one of our scientists.